Synthesis, Characterization, and thermoresponsive properties of Helical Polypeptides Derivatized from Poly(<i>γ</i>−4‐(3‐chloropropoxycarbonyl)benzyl‐_<scp>L</scp>‐glutamate)

Abstract

ABSTRACT A series of side‐chain‐functionalized α‐helical polypeptides, i.e., poly(γ‐4‐(3‐chloropropoxycarbonyl)benzyl‐ L ‐glutamate) (6) have been prepared from n‐butylamine initiated ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of γ‐4‐(3‐chloropropoxycarbonyl)benzyl‐ L ‐glutamic acid‐based N ‐carboxyanhydride. Polypeptides bearing oligo‐ethylene‐glycol (OEG) groups or 1‐butylimidazolium salts were prepared from 6 via copper‐mediated [2+3] alkyne‐azide 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition or nuleophilic substitution, respectively. CD and FTIR analysis revealed that the polymers adopt α‐helical conformations both in solution and the solid state. Polymers bearing OEG (m = 3) side‐chains showed reversible LCST‐type phase transition behaviors in water while polymers bearing 1‐butylimidazolium and I − counter‐anions exhibited reversible UCST‐type transitions in water. Variable‐temperature UV‐vis analysis revealed that the phase transition temperatures ( T pt s) were dependent on the main‐chain length and polymeric concentration. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53 , 2469–2480